Xerochrysum plant named ‘KLEBB08398’

ABSTRACT

A new cultivar of  Xerochrysum  named ‘KLEBB08398’ particularly characterized by a very early flowering response, brilliant orange inflorescences, and an upright, compact and harmonic growth habit, is disclosed.

Genus and species: Xerochrysum bracteata.

Variety Denomination: ‘KLEBB08398’.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW PLANT

The present invention comprises a new and distinct cultivar of Xerochrysum, botanically known as Xerochrysum bracteata (previously Bracteantha bracteata), and hereinafter referred to by the cultivar name ‘KLEBB08398’. ‘KLEBB08398’ was discovered as a seedling resulting from an open pollination in Summer 2005 in Stuttgart, Germany between the proprietary female Xerochrysum parent, ‘Mohave Grande Orange’ (unpatented) and an unknown male parent. A single plant selection was subsequently chosen for further evaluation and for asexual propagation.

The new cultivar was first propagated in May 2006 by vegetative cuttings in Stuttgart, Germany and has been asexually reproduced repeatedly by vegetative cuttings in Stuttgart, Germany over a two and one-half-year period (approximately 4 to 5 generations). ‘KLEBB08398’ has been found to retain its distinctive characteristics through successive asexual propagations.

Plant Breeder's Rights for this cultivar have been applied for in Canada on Mar. 31, 2008. ‘KLEBB08398’ has not been made publicly available more than one year prior to the filing date of this application.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following are the most outstanding and distinguishing characteristics of this new cultivar when grown under normal commercial practices in a greenhouse in Stuttgart, Germany.

-   -   1. A very early flowering response;     -   2. Brilliant orange inflorescences; and     -   3. An upright, compact and harmonic growth habit.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPH

This new Xerochrysum plant is illustrated by the accompanying photograph which shows a close-up of the mature inflorescence. The colors shown are as true as can be reasonably obtained by conventional photographic procedures.

The photograph is of a plant about 4-months old and grown from rooted cuttings in a 12-cm pot under greenhouse (glasshouse) in Stuttgart, Germany under conditions which approximate those generally used in commercial practice.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW CULTIVAR

The following detailed descriptions set forth the distinctive characteristics of ‘KLEBB08398’. The data which define these characteristics were collected from asexual reproductions carried out in Stuttgart, Germany. The plant history was taken on 3-month old plants in 12-cm pots that were pinched once approximately 10 days after planting and grown in a greenhouse in April. The color readings were determined under natural light. Color references are to The R.H.S. Colour Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society of London (R.H.S). (2001).

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW PLANT

-   Classification:     -   -   Family.—Asteraceae.         -   Genus and species:.—Xerochrysum bracteata. -   Parentage:     -   -   Female parent.—The proprietary Xerochrysum parent, ‘Mohave             Grande Orange’ (unpatented).         -   Male parent.—Unknown. -   Plant:     -   -   Form.—Rounded, bushy.         -   Growth habit.—Upright.         -   Propagation type.—Vegetative cuttings.         -   Height (from soil level to top of the leaves, without             inflorescences).—17.0 cm.         -   Diameter (area of spread).—25.0 cm.         -   Time to initiate roots.—8 days.         -   Time to produce a rooted cutting.—16 days.         -   Root description and habit (immature plants).—White, medium             thickness, dense.         -   Time to produce a finished plant.—9 weeks (63 days). -   Branches:     -   -   Type.—Lateral branches.         -   Quantity per plant.—5 to 8 after pinching.         -   Length.—3.0 cm to 8.0 cm.         -   Diameter.—0.6 cm to 0.8 cm.         -   Internode length.—1.0 cm to 2.0 cm.         -   Aspect.—Round.         -   Strength.—Strong.         -   Texture.—Rough.         -   Color.—RHS 138A. -   Leaves:     -   -   Arrangement and type.—Alternate.         -   Length.—4.0 cm to 10.0 cm.         -   Width.—1.5 cm to 1.8 cm.         -   Shape.—Lanceolate.         -   Apex.—Acute.         -   Base.—Blunt.         -   Margin.—Entire.         -   Texture (both upper and lower surface).—Slightly rough.         -   Venation pattern.—Pinnate.         -   Venation color (both upper and lower surface).—RHS 137D.         -   Color.—Upper surface (both immature and mature): RHS 137A.             Lower surface (both immature and mature): RHS 137C.         -   Petiole.—Absent. -   Inflorescence:     -   -   Appearance.—Single and dichasium.         -   Flowering habit and timing.—Continuous from Spring to Fall.         -   Quantity of inflorescences on the plant.—7 to 12.         -   Fragrance.—Absent.         -   Lastingness of inflorescences on the plant.—About 14 to 25             days.         -   Diameter.—About 5.0 cm to 7.0 cm.         -   Depth (height).—4.0 cm to 6.0 cm.         -   Disc diameter.—4.0 cm.         -   Receptacle diameter.—About 1.0 cm.         -   Receptacle height.—About 0.6 cm. -   Bud:     -   -   Height.—0.8 cm.         -   Diameter.—0.8 cm.         -   Shape.—Fircone-shaped, elliptic.         -   Color.—Between RHS 179A and RHS 161D. -   Involucral bracts:     -   -   Shape.—Elliptic.         -   Length, largest bracts.—1.5 cm to 2.0 cm.         -   Width, largest bracts.—0.4 cm to 0.7 cm.         -   Apex.—Acute.         -   Base.—Attenuate.         -   Margin.—Entire.         -   Texture.—Rough.         -   Number of involucral bracts per inflorescence.—Varies.         -   Color (when opening and when fully opened).—Upper surface:             RHS 31A (at the edge), RHS 23A (middle part), RHS 33A (inner             part). Lower surface: RHS 33A. -   Disc florets:     -   -   Arrangement.—Massed in the center of the receptacle.         -   Shape.—Tubular.         -   Apex.—Obtuse.         -   Length.—0.2 cm.         -   Diameter, apex.—0.04 cm.         -   Diameter, base.—0.04 cm.         -   Number of disc florets per inflorescence.—Greater than 50.         -   Color.—Immature: RHS 23B. Mature: RHS 23A. Apex: RHS 23A.             Mid-section: RHS 23A. Base: RHS 23C. -   Phyllaries:     -   -   Quantity per inflorescence.—8 to 10.         -   Length.—0.4 cm.         -   Width.—0.4 cm.         -   Shape.—Elliptic to round.         -   Apex.—Acute.         -   Base.—Obtuse.         -   Margin.—Entire.         -   Texture (both the upper and lower surfaces).—Smooth.         -   Color.—Upper surface: RHS 137B. Lower surface: RHS 137B. -   Peduncles:     -   -   Length.—6.0 cm to 8.0 cm.         -   Diameter.—0.3 cm to 0.6 cm.         -   Strength.—Moderate.         -   Aspect.—Erect.         -   Texture.—Rough.         -   Color.—RHS 137D. -   Reproductive organs: Unable to determine reproductive organs due to     small size. -   Fruit and seed set: None observed. -   Disease and insect resistance: No common diseases and insects     observed.

COMPARISON WITH PARENTAL AND COMMERCIAL CULTIVARS

‘KLEBB08398’ differs from the female parent, the proprietary Xerochrysum ‘Mohave Grande Orange’ (unpatented) in that ‘KLEBB08398’ has brilliant orange inflorescences and a more compact growth habit, while ‘Mohave Grande Orange’ has light orange inflorescences and a strong growth habit.

‘KLEBB08398’ differs from the commercial comparison variety ‘KLEBA04086’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 17,919) in that ‘KLEBB08398’ has shiny, brilliant orange inflorescences, a very early flowering response and a medium growth habit, while ‘KLEBA04086’ has dark bronze orange inflorescences, a late flowering response and a strong growth habit. 

1. A new and distinct cultivar of Xerochrysum plant named ‘KLEBB08398’ as shown and described herein. 